ESPN's "College GameDay" has brought in strong ratings over the first half of the college football season, and that might be a testament to the unique blend of young and old the show is deploying.
Pat McAfee injected some energy into the panel when he joined "College GameDay" in 2022, but the old guard remains. Lee Corso has maintained his role at the desk, while legendary coach Nick Saban brought his football mind and measured takes to the set when he joined after retiring from his job at Alabama earlier this year.
While the desk is a bit more crowded now, one reliable highlight of "College GameDay" each week is Corso's headgear pick just before the first slate of games kicks off. Fans who tuned in when Cal hosted the show in Week 6 didn't get to see Corso, however. Will the same be true in Week 7?
Here's what you need to know about Corso's status for "College GameDay" in Eugene, Oregon.
MORE: Full college football schedule for Week 7
Is Lee Corso on 'College GameDay' this week?
Corso will miss "College GameDay" for the second consecutive week. Corso has been "under the weather," host Rece Davis said ahead of Saturday's broadcast.
"He’s not going to be here this week," Davis said. "He’s doing better. He’s been a little bit under the weather for the last couple of weeks."
Details about Corso's illness have not been disclosed, but Davis said he spoke to Corso on Friday and was told the longtime analyst was disappointed to miss his friend the Oregon Duck.
Corso missed three shows in 2022 due to health issues and only appeared from his home during the COVID-impacted 2020 season, but he's stayed at the "College GameDay" desk even as he ages. While some speculated Saban might immediately replace Corso in 2023, the longtime analyst was not interested in retiring just yet.
Corso suffered a stroke in 2009, but he was able to work his way back to the set and remains one of the main attractions of the show.
"College GameDay" has been on the west coast for each of the two weeks Corso has missed, which could be a factor for his absence given he lives in Florida and would have to make a cross-country trip. He also didn't make the trip to Ireland in Week 0.
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How old is Lee Corso?
Corso is 89 years old; he turned 89 in August.
Corso has been a part of "College GameDay" since the show's inception in 1987, and he's rejected retirement speculation to this point.
With Saban joining the panel this season and expanding the desk from five to six, it's possible ESPN won't need to replace Corso when he does choose to step away.
